Richard Nixon
(January 9, 1913 - April 22, 1994)
Political Party: Republican
Term: (1969-74)
Vice Pres.: Sprio Agnew (1969-72) Gerald Ford (1973-74)
Most people hear the name Richard Nixon and denounce his presidency because of the whole Watergate Scandal, but one has to look through such camouflage to see what the man did for the country during the time he was in office. Seeing all of his accomplishments during his regime, I grant Nixon a B- for his efforts as "President of the United States."
From the moment Nixon became president, his main goal (maybe placed in his hands) was foreign policy. As headlined in his acceptance speech "We extend the hand of friendship to all people. To the Soviet people. To the Chinese people. To all the people of the world. And we work toward the goal of an open world, open sky, open cities, open hearts, open minds," he offered hope to the American people at a time where there was none to be found. This was a very crucial goal because it directly affected America and its people, because the future at the time was very unpredictable. A large quantity of the decisions Nixon made on foreign policy were well approved by all, and most of them turned out to be quite beneficial for the country. His decision to bomb North Vietnam and urge the South (Vietnam) for peace talks were highly applauded, and were key in removing the U.S. from the war. His quest was for world stability and he did exactly so by reducing the tensions between the U.S.S.R and China, by taking trips to the countries and meeting with their leaders. Looking at Nixon's relationship with congress, it could be said they believed in him. He passed many economic regulations, as well as environmental laws including the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, while setting up the Environmental Protection Agency.
The best thing Nixon did as President was be the world's peacekeeper. He allowed the U.S.'s relationship with Russia and China, both communist countries, to further grow in non-violence against one and other. This possibly was the start of the end of the Cold War, because he didn't have any major or minor conflicts with the two other nations. Also his decisions in Vietnam inevitably got the U.S. out of the war, and that is what the rest of the country was screaming for at the time. Everyone in the late 60's was anti-war, and with all the riots and other events going on, the country was in a real debacle. He found a way to give all Americans what they wanted, while assuring the safety of the South Vietnamese from a communist takeover. This was something that Lyndon Johnson failed to do as President of the U.S., but Nixon actually lived up to all his goals dealing with foreign policy and that arena of his time in office.
Obviously the downfall of President Nixon was the Watergate Scandal, and why he did such a thing still is a mystery to me. Maybe it is because he believed he wouldn't have been re-elected for the next term, but that obviously wasn't the case! This was not what a newly patched country needed at the time, because it would only cause more Americans to lose faith in their government even more. The shameful part of this is that Nixon resigned only to save his privileges as a President (like pension), when he knew he would've been impeached either way. He never really honed up to his "crime," and that is why many people to this day don't see the good things he did, but only the Scandal.
Overall Nixon was a very efficient President and did a lot for America in a time where it needed a solid leader that would bring them together. The U.S. also witnessed a great achievement during his Presidency, as we touched the moon in 1969. We all know where our air space research has gone from there to now! He also inevitably saved thousands of American lives by pulling us out of Vietnam. Watergate was really bad for him, yet with all his accomplishments I will have to stick it to the man and give him a B-!
(January 9, 1913 - April 22, 1994)
Political Party: Republican
Term: (1969-74)
Vice Pres.: Sprio Agnew (1969-72) Gerald Ford (1973-74)
Most people hear the name Richard Nixon and denounce his presidency because of the whole Watergate Scandal, but one has to look through such camouflage to see what the man did for the country during the time he was in office. Seeing all of his accomplishments during his regime, I grant Nixon a B- for his efforts as "President of the United States."
From the moment Nixon became president, his main goal (maybe placed in his hands) was foreign policy. As headlined in his acceptance speech "We extend the hand of friendship to all people. To the Soviet people. To the Chinese people. To all the people of the world. And we work toward the goal of an open world, open sky, open cities, open hearts, open minds," he offered hope to the American people at a time where there was none to be found. This was a very crucial goal because it directly affected America and its people, because the future at the time was very unpredictable. A large quantity of the decisions Nixon made on foreign policy were well approved by all, and most of them turned out to be quite beneficial for the country. His decision to bomb North Vietnam and urge the South (Vietnam) for peace talks were highly applauded, and were key in removing the U.S. from the war. His quest was for world stability and he did exactly so by reducing the tensions between the U.S.S.R and China, by taking trips to the countries and meeting with their leaders. Looking at Nixon's relationship with congress, it could be said they believed in him. He passed many economic regulations, as well as environmental laws including the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, while setting up the Environmental Protection Agency.
The best thing Nixon did as President was be the world's peacekeeper. He allowed the U.S.'s relationship with Russia and China, both communist countries, to further grow in non-violence against one and other. This possibly was the start of the end of the Cold War, because he didn't have any major or minor conflicts with the two other nations. Also his decisions in Vietnam inevitably got the U.S. out of the war, and that is what the rest of the country was screaming for at the time. Everyone in the late 60's was anti-war, and with all the riots and other events going on, the country was in a real debacle. He found a way to give all Americans what they wanted, while assuring the safety of the South Vietnamese from a communist takeover. This was something that Lyndon Johnson failed to do as President of the U.S., but Nixon actually lived up to all his goals dealing with foreign policy and that arena of his time in office.
Obviously the downfall of President Nixon was the Watergate Scandal, and why he did such a thing still is a mystery to me. Maybe it is because he believed he wouldn't have been re-elected for the next term, but that obviously wasn't the case! This was not what a newly patched country needed at the time, because it would only cause more Americans to lose faith in their government even more. The shameful part of this is that Nixon resigned only to save his privileges as a President (like pension), when he knew he would've been impeached either way. He never really honed up to his "crime," and that is why many people to this day don't see the good things he did, but only the Scandal.
Overall Nixon was a very efficient President and did a lot for America in a time where it needed a solid leader that would bring them together. The U.S. also witnessed a great achievement during his Presidency, as we touched the moon in 1969. We all know where our air space research has gone from there to now! He also inevitably saved thousands of American lives by pulling us out of Vietnam. Watergate was really bad for him, yet with all his accomplishments I will have to stick it to the man and give him a B-!
Bibliography:
“Richard Nixon.” The White House. Washington. 17 December 2008. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/rn37.html>
“Richard Nixon (1969-1974).” Miller Center of Public Affairs. 2008. University of Virginia. 17 December 2008. <http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/nixon/essays/biography/8>.
Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas A. Bailey. American Pageant : Advanced Placement. 12th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin College Division.